Catalytic lens sterilizing system

Abstract

An appliance for sterilizing contact lenses or the like includes a reaction vessel for containing the lenses in sterilizing contact with hydrogen peroxide solution and two catalytic elements for decomposing the hydrogen peroxide during the lens sterilization. The first catalytic element decomposes a portion of the initial concentration of hydrogen peroxide in the solution during the lens sterilization, and the second catalytic element accelerates combined decomposition of the reduced concentration of hydrogen peroxide in the solution resulting from decomposition by the first catalytic element, in order to achieve sufficiently reduced terminal hydrogen peroxide concentration at completion of the lens sterilization for safe contact by the eyes of a wearer with residues of hydrogen peroxide at the terminal concentration which may adhere to the sterilized lenses.

The invention is claimed as follows: 
     
       1. An appliance for use in sterilizing contact lenses, comprising: a) a reaction vessel for containing contact lenses in sterilizing contact with hydrogen peroxide solution;   b) a first catalytic element for decomposing a portion of an initial concentration of a hydrogen peroxide solution during said lens sterilization;   c) a second catalytic element effective for comparatively accelerating decomposition, relative to said first catalytic element, of the reduced concentration of hydrogen peroxide in said solution resulting from said partial decomposition of said initial hydrogen peroxide concentration, in order to achieve sufficiently reduced terminal hydrogen peroxide concentration at completion of said sterilization, for safe contact by the eyes of a wearer with residues of hydrogen peroxide at said terminal concentration adhering to said sterilized contact lenses.   
     
     
       2. An appliance according to claim 1, wherein said first and second catalytic elements are joined to form a composite catalytic unit. 
     
     
       3. An appliance according to claim 1, wherein said first catalytic element comprises a hydrogen peroxide decomposition agent disposed on a supporting substrate. 
     
     
       4. An appliance according to claim 1, wherein said first catalytic element comprises a hydrogen peroxide decomposition metal deposited on a supporting substrate. 
     
     
       5. An appliance according to claim 1, wherein said first catalytic element comprises platinum deposited on a polymeric substrate. 
     
     
       6. An appliance according to claim 5, wherein said polymeric substrate has a composition comprising an elastomeric component. 
     
     
       7. An appliance according to claim 5, wherein said polymeric substrate has a composition comprising thermoplastic polymer alloy. 
     
     
       8. An appliance according to claim 1, wherein said polymeric substrate has a composition comprising ABS. 
     
     
       9. An appliance according to claim 5, wherein said polymeric substrate has a composition comprising bisphenol A polycarbonate. 
     
     
       10. An appliance according to claim 5, wherein said polymeric substrate has a composition comprising a thermoplastic alloy of components including bisphenol A polycarbonate, styrene and acrylonitrile copolymer, and ABS. 
     
     
       11. An appliance for use in sterilizing contact lenses, comprising: a) a reaction vessel for containing contact lenses in sterilizing contact with hydrogen peroxide solution;   b) a first catalytic element for decomposing a portion of an initial concentration of a hydrogen peroxide solution during lens sterilization, wherein the catalytic activity of said first catalytic element controls decomposition of an approximately 3% initial concentration of hydrogen peroxide in said solution to maintain at least 1% concentration of hydrogen peroxide in the solution for at least 30 minutes after initial contact of said first catalytic element with said 3% hydrogen peroxide solution;   c) a second catalytic element effective for comparatively accelerating decomposition, relative to said first catalytic element, of the reduced concentration of hydrogen peroxide in said solution resulting from said partial decomposition of said initial hydrogen peroxide concentration, in order to achieve sufficiently reduced terminal hydrogen peroxide concentration at completion of said sterilization, for safe contact by the eyes of a wearer with residues of hydrogen peroxide at said terminal concentration adhering to said sterilized contact lenses.   
     
     
       12. An appliance according to claim 1, wherein said second catalytic element comprises a hydrogen peroxide decomposition agent disposed on a supporting substrate. 
     
     
       13. An appliance according to claim 12, wherein said second catalytic element comprises a hydrogen peroxide decomposition metal deposited on a supporting substrate. 
     
     
       14. An appliance according to claim 12, wherein said second catalytic element comprises platinum deposited on a polymeric substrate. 
     
     
       15. An appliance according to claim 14, wherein said polymeric substrate has a composition comprising elastomer. 
     
     
       16. An appliance according to claim 1, wherein said first catalytic element comprises a frame structure into which said second catalytic element is inserted for exposure therewithin to said hydrogen peroxide solution. 
     
     
       17. An appliance for use in sterilizing contact lenses, comprising: a) a reaction vessel for containing contact lenses in sterilizing contact with hydrogen peroxide solution;   b) a first catalytic element for decomposing a portion of an initial concentration of a hydrogen peroxide solution during lens sterilization;   c) a second catalytic element effective for comparatively accelerating decomposition, relative to said first catalytic element, of the reduced concentration of hydrogen peroxide in said solution resulting from said partial decomposition of said initial hydrogen peroxide concentration, in order to achieve sufficiently reduced terminal hydrogen peroxide concentration at completion of said sterilization, for safe contact by the eyes of a wearer with residues of hydrogen peroxide at said terminal concentration adhering to said sterilized contact lenses, wherein said first catalytic element comprises a frame structure into which said second catalytic element is inserted for exposure therewithin to said hydrogen peroxide solution and wherein said frame structure includes a through aperture for exposure of oppositely arranged lateral surfaces formed on said inserted second catalytic element.   
     
     
       18. An appliance for use in sterilizing contact lenses, comprising: a) a reaction vessel for containing contact lenses in sterilizing contact with hydrogen peroxide solution;   b) a first catalytic element for decomposing a portion of an initial concentration of a hydrogen peroxide solution during lens sterilization;   c) a second catalytic element effective for comparatively accelerating decomposition, relative to said first catalytic element, of the reduced concentration of hydrogen peroxide in said solution resulting from said partial decomposition of said initial hydrogen peroxide concentration, in order to achieve sufficiently reduced terminal hydrogen peroxide concentration at completion of said sterilization, for safe contact by the eyes of a wearer with residues of hydrogen peroxide at said terminal concentration adhering to said sterilized contact lenses, wherein said first catalytic element comprises a frame structure into which said second catalytic element is inserted for exposure therewithin to said hydrogen peroxide solution and wherein said frame structure includes an end aperture through which said catalytic element is inserted to form a composition catalytic unit.   
     
     
       19. An appliance according to claim 1, wherein said reaction vessel includes a closed end having an arcuate interior surface for containing said solution. 
     
     
       20. A composite catalytic unit for use in sterilizing contact lenses within a reaction vessel containing hydrogen peroxide sterilization solution, comprising: (a) a first catalytic element for decomposing a portion of an initial concentration of said hydrogen peroxide solution during said lens sterilization; and   (b) a second catalytic element effective for comparatively accelerating decomposition, relative to said first catalytic element, of the reduced concentration of hydrogen peroxide in said solution resulting from said decomposition of said portion of said initial hydrogen peroxide concentration, wherein said first and second catalytic elements are secured together.   
     
     
       21. A composite catalytic unit according to claim 20, wherein said first catalytic element has a configuration defined by a frame structure into which said second catalytic element is inserted. 
     
     
       22. A composite catalytic unit for use in sterilizing contact lenses within a reaction vessel containing hydrogen peroxide sterilization solution, comprising: (a) a first catalytic element for decomposing a portion of an initial concentration of a hydrogen peroxide solution during lens sterilization; and   (b) a second catalytic element effective for comparatively accelerating decomposition, relative to said first catalytic element, of the reduced concentration of hydrogen peroxide in said solution resulting from said decomposition of said portion of said initial hydrogen peroxide concentration, wherein said first and second catalytic elements are secured together, wherein said first catalytic element has a configuration defined by a frame structure into which said second catalytic element is inserted, and said frame structure includes a through opening for exposure of oppositely arranged lateral surfaces formed on said second catalytic element.   
     
     
       23. A composite catalytic unit for use in sterilizing contact lenses within a reaction vessel containing hydrogen peroxide sterilization solution, comprising: (a) a first catalytic element for decomposing a portion of an initial concentration of a hydrogen peroxide solution during said lens sterilization; wherein the catalytic activity of first catalytic element is effective to control decomposition of an approximately 3% initial concentration of hydrogen peroxide in said solution to maintain at least 1% concentration of hydrogen peroxide in the solution for at least 30 minutes after initial contact of said first catalytic element with said 3% hydrogen peroxide solution; and   (b) a second catalytic element effective for comparatively accelerating decomposition, relative to said first catalytic element, of the reduced concentration of hydrogen peroxide in said solution resulting from said decomposition of said portion of said initial hydrogen peroxide concentration, wherein said first and second catalytic elements are secured together.   
     
     
       24. A unitary support structure for holding a pair of contact lenses as well as supporting a composite catalytic unit, for use in sterilizing the contact lenses within a reaction vessel containing hydrogen peroxide sterilization solution, comprising: (a) a first support means for removably holding a pair of contact lenses; and   (b) a second support means removably securing a composite catalytic unit comprising: (1) a first catalytic element for decomposing a portion of an initial concentration of a hydrogen peroxide solution during said lens sterilization; and   (2) a second catalytic element for comparatively accelerating decomposition, relative to said first catalytic element, of the reduced concentration of hydrogen peroxide in said solution, in order to achieve sufficiently reduced terminal hydrogen peroxide concentration at completion of said sterilization for safe contact by the eyes of a wearer with residues of hydrogen peroxide from said terminal concentration adhering to said sterilized contact lenses.     
     
     
       25. A support structure according to claim 24, wherein said first catalytic element comprises a frame structure into which said second catalytic element is inserted for exposure therewithin to said hydrogen peroxide solution. 
     
     
       26. A unitary support structure for holding a pair of contact lenses as well as supporting a composite catalytic unit, for use in sterilizing the contact lenses within a reaction vessel containing hydrogen peroxide sterilization solution, comprising: (a) a first support means for removably holding a pair of contact lenses;   (b) a second support means for removably securing a composite catalytic unit comprising: (1) a first catalytic element for decomposing a portion of an initial concentration of a hydrogen peroxide solution during said lens sterilization; and   (2) a second catalytic element for comparatively accelerating decomposition, relative to said first catalytic element, of the reduced concentration of hydrogen peroxide in said solution, in order to achieve sufficiently reduced terminal hydrogen peroxide concentration at completion of said sterilization for safe contact by the eyes of a wearer with residues of hydrogen peroxide from said terminal concentration adhering to said sterilized contact lenses;     wherein said first support means holds said respective contact lenses in spaced relationship and said second support means secures said composite catalytic unit between said spaced contact lenses.   
     
     
       27. A support structure according to claim 24, wherein the catalytic activity of said first catalytic element is effective to control decomposition of an approximately 3% initial concentration of hydrogen peroxide in said solution to maintain at least 1% concentration of hydrogen peroxide in the solution for at least 30 minutes after initial contact of said first catalytic element with said 3% hydrogen peroxide solution.